I think of Mary Magdalene quite often. In a culture where women mattered so little, Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, sought her to deliver His good news – the news He had arisen from the dead, just as He promised. “When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons” Mark 16:9. Realistically, if I were Him, I would have probably chosen John or to have a little fun with it, maybe the high priests or Pilot. But for some particular reason, He chose Mary. Maybe it was her loyalty or her ability to believe that allowed her to be chosen to deliver the news of His resurrection. In actuality, I imagine it was her heart and her passion for Him that brought Christ to her. When we have passion for something, we will stop at nothing to convince others. This amazing woman stood at the foot of the cross when all the others ran. She witnessed Jesus’ last breath. Why wouldn’t He reveal Himself to someone who fearlessly devoted herself to Him? Can you imagine how fast she ran to tell the others she had seen Him, her feet pounding against the stone filled roads, rejoicing that her Lord was alive?
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” Romans 10:15.
As a writer I contemplate the use of words. Words bring images to life. They are the photographs of the soul. It is unusual to me that Paul would use the term “feet” in this passage. Who has beautiful feet? Feet are ugly and sweaty; they smell; they are blistered and calloused. No, I would have chosen “eyes” – How bright are the eyes of those who bring good news. Or arms – How welcoming are the arms of those who bring good news. Even a tongue would make better sense – How melodious is the tongue that delivers good news. Maybe he was connecting Jesus’ washing of the disciplines feet with their carrying His word to others. Maybe Paul used feet because they work the hardest of all our body parts or because feet are not regarded as “beautiful” but actually something we tend to hide. Have you ever heard a man say, “I am so attracted to her. She has the most amazing feet” ? The use of the word “feet” in this verse probably symbolizes our daily walk with Christ. Preaching the gospel is not just about a week of missions in the rainforests of Brazil and we’re finished, although that is important. Preaching the gospel is an everyday interaction and representation of our relationship with Christ.
My grandmother used to say, “Pretty is as pretty does.” She loved to sing the childhood song, “O be careful little eyes what you see…O be careful little ears what you hear…O be careful little feet where you go, for the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful little feet where you go.” Our actions, our movements, our responses speak louder than any words could ever be heard about Christ. We could shout from the highest mountain our love for Christ but destroy that message by our acts of anger or our greed or our malice toward others.
I love to get pedicures. There is just something about the removal of dead skin from my feet that rejuvenates me. Picking a unique color for my toenails and maybe (if I have $5.00 extra) getting a floral design to go on top of the polish is a “pick me up.” I feel beautiful again – instantaneously. Is it possible we might all need a soul pedicure? Where are your feet taking you?
Today as you interact with others, purposefully examine what message you bring. Is it beautiful? Does it represent Christ? Would He have chosen you to deliver His message that morning, the message He had arisen from the dead? One of my favorite church billboards states, “Always be a witness for Christ and if necessary speak.”
How BEAUTIFUL will your feet be to others today?
